Keelung in northern Taiwan at risk of water shortage

Taipei, July 17 (CNA) Keelung was the only area in Taiwan where a water shortage was feared in the months of September and October, said Hu Nan-tse, the deputy general manager of Taiwan Water Corporation, on Tuesday.

He said that due to the low rainfall in Keelung, northern Taiwanrecently and the gradual decrease in water levels in Keelung River,there were concerns of a potential water shortage in the coming months.

To combat this problem, preventive measures had been taken by Taiwan Water Corporation for nearby Xizhi District in New Taipei,located in the Keelung River valley. The company purchases 80,000 tonnes of water every day from the Taipei Feitsui ReservoirAdministration as a precaution, he said.

Currently, Keelung and Xizhi receive their water supply from the Xinshan Reservoir, the water storage of which is 92 percent and which contains over 8.28 million tonnes of water. This supply cansupport the household use in Keelung City at least half a month.

However, Hu said Taiwan Water Corporation wanted to keep this supply in reserve for dire situations, rather than use it immediately. He said it was hoped that the tropical storm Khanun would help increase the supply of water in Keelung.

He added that due to the heavy rainfall in June, no danger of water shortage was currently expected in other areas for the months of September and October.

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Category: Taiwan